ESL students' off-line and on-line texts : differences and similarities /

This study was undertaken to investigate any textual differences and similarities within essays written with a word processing program and an e-mail editor by non-native writers. It arose from many contradictions and a paucity of empirical research within the field of second language learning and electronic technology. To further explore these contradictory observations, 3 classes of intermediate level ESL (English as a Second Language) students v^ote 6 essays, alternating between a word processing program and an e-mail editor. Prior to the data collection, students read brief texts and responded to questions that focused upon three formal topics: immigration, economics, and multiculturalism. Data were examined for (a) the differences in the frequency counts of 12 cohesive devices, (b) sentence complexity, which focused upon the occurrences of simple and complex sentences, (c) the number of words within the writings, (d) the method of contextualization preferred by writers, and (e) any variations in the final grades of the students' texts that resulted from holistic rating. Results of analysis indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the frequency counts of the linguistic features. Sentence complexity did not vary within the off-line and on-line essays. The average number of words found within the off-line essays was approximately 20% greater than within on-line essays. Contextualization methods were not different within word-processed or e-mailed essays. Finally, there was no difference in the quality of the texts when holistically rated.

Niagara Region Newspaper Collection, 1811-1998 [non-inclusive]

Selected issues of historical newspapers of local interest, with dates starting from the mid-1800's, originally in the collections of the St. Catharines Public Library, the St. Catharines Historical Museum, and Brock University Library until they were microfilmed at which time they were transferred to Brock University Archives. The collection includes newspapers from various communities in the Niagara Region. The inventory includes the title of the newspaper and the issues available. Complete runs for each newspaper are virtually non extent.

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper, December 18th, 1817

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper was a weekly paper in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake that began publication December 4, 1817 and ceased in 1830. This bound volume has been divided by publication dates. Other dates included in the volume are: 25 December 1817 1818 January 1 1818 January 8 1818 January 15 1818 January 22 There is also a letter that was found inside the bound volume written by Andrew Heron on October 1 1817.

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper, December 25th, 1817

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper was a weekly paper in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake that began publication December 4, 1817 and ceased in 1830. This bound volume has been divided by publication dates. Other dates included in the volume are: 1817 December 18 1818 January 1 1818 January 8 1818 January 15 1818 January 22 There is also a letter that was found inside the bound volume written by Andrew Heron on October 1 1817.

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper, January 1st, 1818

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper was a weekly paper in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake that began publication December 4, 1817 and ceased in 1830. This bound volume has been divided by publication dates. Other dates included in the volume are: 1817 December 18 1817 December 25 1818 January 8 1818 January 15 1818 January 22 There is also a letter that was found inside the bound volume written by Andrew Heron on October 1 1817.

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper, January 8, 1818

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper was a weekly paper in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake that began publication December 4, 1817 and ceased in 1830. This bound volume has been divided by publication dates. Other dates included in the volume are: 1817 December 18 1817 December 25 1818 January 1 1818 January 15 1818 January 22 There is also a letter that was found inside the bound volume written by Andrew Heron on October 1 1817.

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper, January 15, 1818

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper was a weekly paper in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake that began publication December 4, 1817 and ceased in 1830. This bound volume has been divided by publication dates. Other dates included in the volume are: 1817 December 18 1817 December 25 1818 January 1 1818 January 8 1818 January 22 There is also a letter that was found inside the bound volume written by Andrew Heron on October 1 1817.

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper, January 22, 1818

The Gleaner and Niagara Newspaper was a weekly paper in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake that began publication December 4, 1817 and ceased in 1830. This bound volume has been divided by publication dates. Other dates included in the volume are: 1817 December 18 1817 December 25 1818 January 1 1818 January 8 1818 January 15 There is also a letter that was found inside the bound volume written by Andrew Heron on October 1 1817.

The Columbian Newspaper vol. IV no. 1105- June 12, 1813

The "Columbian" was established by Mr. Holt in 1808 as an "organ of the Clintonians" (Journalism in the United States, from 1690-1872 By Frederic Hudson) and a replacement to the "Citizen". It was a passionate Democratic paper that supported both Jefferson and Madison. Holt later sold the "Columbian" to Alden Spooner, who published the Long Island "Star". The Columbian ceased in 1821. This issue includes the following War of 1812 topics: Page 2: copies of letters from U.S. Gen. H. Dearborn describing the U.S. attack on Ft. George 27 May 1813; letter from Gen. H. Dearborn describing U.S. pursuit of British troops at Beaver Dams and the U.S. capture of Fort Erie; list of U.S. killed and wounded in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's squadron in attack on York 27 April, 1813; list of killed and wounded in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's squadron in attack on Ft. George 27 May 1813; abstract of the cartel for the exchange of prisoners of war between Great Britain and the United States; mention of troop movements through New York on their way to the battle front; list of persons killed or lost on the privateer Saratoga; Page 3: account of the loss of the U.S. war ships the Growler and Eagle to the British; news from Quebec and Kingston of troop movements; U.S. ship Syren unsuccessfully pursues British ship Herald; account of a U.S. cargo ship being captured by a British military ship; account of U.S. ship Siro capturing British ship Loyal Sam; report from Halifax of recent British troop and ship movements; list of recent troop enrollments in various states; report of British troop build up in Kingston;

The Bee Newspaper, Vol. I, No. 13

An original Niagara area newspaper containing an account of the Battle of Queenston Heights and the death and burial of Sir Isaac Brock. The newspaper is dated October 24, 1812, eleven days after the death of General Brock. Topics of interest include: Page 1: Sheaffe announcement regulating the sale of alcohol in Niagara; Myers announcement asking citizens for the return of American muskets recovered from the battle at Queenston; local notices on business claims and education; want ads for wood, straw, flour and pork for military use; announcement by the Prince Regent in Council putting an embargo on American ships. Page 2: release of American prisoners captured at Queenston; news of the British Navy; the security of Canadian properties in wartime; American ships leaving Britain with licenses. Page 3: American ships leaving Britain with licenses Page 4: report on the Battle of Queenston Heights and the death of Isaac Brock.

The New-York Weekly Museum Newspaper, Vol. II, No.24- October 16, 1813

A weekly paper that was published from 1805 to 1814. War related news includes: Page 95 - Weekly Retrospect: relief effort in London, England for those affected by the war in British North America; naval battles on Lake Ontario by Commodore Chauncey in late September; movements of Major Grant, De Rottenburgh's regiment, General Wilkinson, Commodore Yoe's fleet, General Hampton; the capture of Fort Malden by William Harrison. The rest of the newspaper contains literary works (poems and translations), marriages, deaths and other anecdotes. The motto on the front page states: "Visiting Every Flower with Labour Meet, and Gathering all its Treasures, Sweet by Sweet."

The New York Weekly Museum Newspaper, Vol. II, No.25- October 23, 1813

A weekly paper that was published from 1805 to 1814. War related news includes: Page 99 - Weekly Retrospect: American report on British naval movements near Louisiana; General William Harrison reports on: a victory at Moravian Town (Moraviantown) on October 5; Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyandots Miamies and Delaware First Nations (Indians) leaving the British side; Tecumseh remaining with the British; American army and navy attempt for a reduction of Mackinac and St. Joseph's; Colonel Chapin attacking a British picket guard near Fort George on October 6; Report that the British have abandoned the Fort George area for Kingston and is being pursued by General McClure; Forces in Sackett's Harbour ready for an attach on Canada; General Provost believed to have left Kingston for Montreal with 1000 men; Report from Burlington (Lake Champlain) of an attack on St. Armands against Colonel Clark on October 15; Report of the American's taking of the Packet Morgiana by the Schooner Saratoga under Captain Adderton by Newport; Announcement by the New York City Common Council for a celebration of Perry and Harrison's victories on the evening of October 23. The rest of the newspaper contains literary works (poems and translations), marriages, deaths and other anecdotes. The motto on the front page states: "Visiting Every Flower with Labour Meet, and Gathering all its Treasures, Sweet by Sweet."

The New York Weekly Museum Newspaper, Vol. I, No.25- October 24, 1812

A weekly paper that was published from 1805 to 1814. The motto on the front page states: "Visiting Every Flower with Labour Meet, and Gathering all its Treasures, Sweet by Sweet."

The New York Weekly Museum Newspaper, Vol. II, No.26- October 30, 1813

A weekly paper that was published from 1805 to 1814. War related news includes: Page 103 - Weekly Retrospect: Reports on the Napoleanic Wars in Europe; Possible French and English troop movements from Europe to America and Canada; Mention of British vessels captured by American privateers Scourge, Rattlesnake and Lion; Report on New York celebration of Commodore Perry and General Harrison's victories on Lake Erie and in Canada respectively; Creek Indians attack on a supply convoy near Savannah, the provisions were recovered by General Floyd; General Harrison's account on Moravian Town (Moraviantown) and Munsey; Movements of General Wilkinson's army. Page 104 - an editorial about the madness of the times and its reflection on humanity. The rest of the newspaper contains literary works (poems and translations), marriages, deaths and other anecdotes. The motto on the front page states: "Visiting Every Flower with Labour Meet, and Gathering all its Treasures, Sweet by Sweet."